Method for gathering glass.



c; F. 00x. METHOD FOR GATHERING GLASS.

Agwucgnon FILED SEPT. 15, 1912.,

Patented Jan.16,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I I/Vl/ENTOR 67/145155 f. COX

WIT/V588 Q BY 'c. F. cox.

METHOD FOR GATHERING GLASS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1912.

1,212,189; Patnted-Jan.16,1 91 7.

. 2SHEETS-SHEET2.

INVENTOR CH/IHLEE f: COX

WIT/E3858 M A man/vars CHARLES E. COX, OF BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY.

METHOD FOR GATHERING GLASS.

Application filed September 19, 1912.

To a whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. Cox, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Bridgeton, county of Cumberland, and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods ofGathering Glass, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method of gath ering glass repeatedly from afixed gathering point or points on the surface of a mass of molten glassand for removing from said gathering point or points, such portions ofglass as are chilled by the gathering tool and causing them to be meltedand merged with the general mass of glass.

More particularly, my invention relates to a method asaforesaid in whichmachines are used to draw glass into molds by suction. My invention willbe better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings whichrepresent a preferred embodiment of apparatus for the practice of myimproved method, and in which ,Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view,taken along'the line l1 of Fig. 2, of the glass furnace and thegathering machine used therewith; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of thesame along the line 22 of Fig. 1, the gathering machine being inelevation; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the furnace withgatheringmachine removed; and Fig. 4: is a plan View of the front end ofthe furnace.

The drawing of the gathering machine is diagrammatic only and intendedto represent any usual rotary machine having a plurality ofgatheringgdevices of the general type shown in my atentNo. 880,482 ofFebruary 25, 1908, with such modifications as will later be pointed out.

In the drawings the furnace 1, suitably supported, is provided with theusual bridge wall 2 and a cover 3, all of-refractory material as isusual in the art. At the center front of the furnace is a contractedextension 4 provided with a removable cover 5. This cover is hung from alever 6 itself pivoted upon a swinging structure rotatable about theaxis 7; the cover may thus readily be raised and swung out of the waywhen desired. Main gas burners 8 are or may be disposed in the usual wayabove the body of glass to melt the same and auxiliary vburners 9 at thesides of the extension 4 are also Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917. Serial No. 721,138.

The gathering machine 10, diagrammath call v shown in Figs. 1 and 52.comprises a system of similar suction devices or molds 11 carried by atable or other suitable support-mg structure 12 which is capable of l cing revolved about a central "axis. As previously stated, gatheringdevices of this type are shown in my Patent K0. 880,-l82 of February 25,1908.

The gathering machine 10 is so arranged that, as each mold passes thefirst side wall of the extension 4 and over the molten glass in saidextension, said mold is lowered into and remains below the surface ofthe glass and suction is applied to draw the glass into the mold whilethe moldcontinues its onward movement. Before the mold reaches the otherside wall of extension I it is raised so as to pass over the same. Themold may or may notbe brought to a stop as it thus passes over theextension. If the mold is stopped as it passes over extension 4 suctionmay be applied then instead of while the mold is in motion if preferred.

The operation of the apparatus in practising the method of my lnventionis as fol-' lows: the glass being in the furnace and in a suitablemolten condition, and the gathering machine 10 being in position, (Figs.1 and 2) the table 12 carrying the molds is caused to revolve. As eachmold passes over the extension 4 it is lowered below the surface of theglass in said pool, is filled by suction, and then withdrawn. My presentinvention is not concerned with the further treatment of the moldcontent and for this the prior art may be consulted. Referring to themolten glass in the furnace proper and in the extension 4. the dippingof the successive molds beneath the surface of said glass and theunidirectional movement of said molds while so dipped will set up acirculatory current in said glass as indicated 'by the arrows 14.Immediately adjacent to molten glass is constantly passing into the 11cextension 4 at one side thereof while, at the other side, the glasswhich has been chilled by contact with the mold, is passing out into thefurnace proper there to merge intothe main body of glass and to be againbrought into its original molten condition. The surplus glass also,ordinarily cut ofi from the gathering mold after it has been withdrawnfrom the molten glass, will fall back into the body of glass and floatolf away from the gathering point into the furnace proper.

- One form of such alternative construction be lowered, into the mightbe, for example, an arrangement'of horizontal drags attached to thelower plate 15 of the gathering machine and projecting radiallytherefrom midway between the molds. By, means of a suitable cam belowsaid plate and cooperating with the drags, each drag, as it reachesextension 4, would contained pool, be moved forward in said glass and-belifted from said glass as of the extension. Other ways of establishingthe desired circulation will suggest themselves.

I have described my invention as applied to a furnace having but oneextension 4:, but my invention is not dependent upon the number of suchextensions, and a furnace having any desired number of said extensionsmay be used, or such extensions may be omitted altogether.

Any furnace which is so constructed as to permit' the circulation awayfrom the gathering point to a region of sufficiently higher temperature,and from such region it reaches the other wall.

to the gathering point, and the application of a gathering tool to setup such circulation, may be used in carrying out my process, and in myclaims I have designated such a furnace as a suitable furnace.

IVhen the invention is applied to a furnace having a plurality ofseveral gathering machines extensions, the may be driven. 0.

separately from a common source of power. I

or in any other convenient way. The same is true of the means by whichthe circulation of the glass is set up should such means be back againto such gathering point by conlining the glass in a suitable furnace andmoving a gathering tool horizontally through said glass, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

2. In the method of gathering glass which includes removing chilledglass from the gathering point and bringing a fresh supply of moltenglass to such point, that improvement which comprises creating acirculation of glass away from such gathering point to a region ofhigher temperature, and back again to, such gathering point by confiningthe glass in a suitable furnace and moving a gathering tool horizontallyand unidirectionally through said glass, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set -my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. COX. Witnesses:

LILLIAN S. BELL, WALTER H. BACON, Jr.

point and bringing a fresh sup-

